Santa arrives, bringing wintery weather to downtown Youngstown today

YOUNGSTOWN

Santa could not have asked for a more perfect day Saturday as the city officially geared up for the Christmas season with the Youngstown Holiday Parade and Festival downtown.

With temperatures in the lower 20s and the kind of fierce wind Santa likes to pull his sleigh, it was perfect weather to usher in the season.

That didn’t seem to deter the large crowd gathered to watch the procession and also take part in pre-parade festivities at 20 Federal Place and the Oh Wow! children’s museum across the street.

For the first time since the city has held the holiday festival the museum opened its doors for free Saturday. Sabrina Edwards of Boardman was there with her two sons, who were playing inside the museum.

Edwards said she came to the event last year and wanted to come back because it is good for families.

“It’s just a nice Christmas experience,” Edwards said. “It’s a unique event for the whole family to attend.”

Over at 20 Federal Place, children got the chance to do holiday-related crafts before the parade began.

Read more about the event and see photos in Sunday's Vindicvator or on Vindy.com.